By Rodgers Omondi, Busia
A total of 50 schools in Busia County are set to benefit from installation of solar energy in a move that aims to ensure full supplier of power in schools. The project, which was initiated by Arthur Osiya, the principal administrative secretary in the office of the president, is also aiming to reduce the cost of electricity in schools.
Speaking during the installation of the solar panel at Eugene Masombo primary and junior secondary school in Samia Subcounty, the project coordinator Milton Maloba said the project will help to solve challenges in the safety of students and schools and reduce the cost of electricity.
“We have so far installed the solar system in 24 schools. We are targeting a total of 50 schools in the first phase of this project. Thereafter we will evaluate the impact of the project before we embark on the next project” he said.
He added that the solar power installed has that capacity of lighting the whole school and helps in water pumping.
“The system has a guarantee of 25 years and has the capacity to pump water from any level and also light the whole school. The community has asked about water which we are going to discuss and find the solution about it” he said.
Eugene Masombo primary and junior secondary school founder Eugene Masombo praised the project stating that it has provided a lasting solution to the security at the school.
“Electricity bills have been a big challenge to our school. We are grateful to this project because this is an assurance of full security to our school. The money we have been using to pay for electricity will now be converted to other work that will help to develop our school” he said.
He also called for intervention in the development of infrastructure and teachers in the school which he said is still low.
“We are still struggling with the infrastructure which is not sufficient to the number of learners that we have. The other bigger challenge is teachers because the school has only 5 teachers and 2 teachers for JSS which is far from enough. We need a quick intervention to save situation” he said.
Cyrus Opiyo, BOM member of Wakhungu primary and junior secondary school stated that they have been paying a huge bill as a school and the solar will save them from the situation.
“We have had challenges with our electricity bill. We have been paying up to 50,000 as an electricity bill. This system is going to reduce the straining the school has been going through to pay the bills. This money will be converted to other projects” he said.
